Page 59 of The Scene of the Crime (Jessica Russell #1)

‘Well, poor Michelle was desperate to start a family. I remember her saying to me that part of her wanting to marry Johan was that she reckoned they’d have beautiful children.

She made me laugh when she said they’d be perfect if they had his looks and her brains.

But it didn’t work out as planned for them.

I think she had a miscarriage and eventually had to have IVF treatment.

Whether or not it was successful I don’t know, but in the meantime, I had my two.

To be honest, I felt she was envious, I mean she tried not to show it, but she was getting desperate. ’

‘What did your husband think about it all?’

‘About the ring?’

‘Yes, how did he react?’

‘I thought it best not to tell him. He’d have confronted Johan and Michelle. That’s another reason I can’t make a statement. So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak to him.’

‘That’s fine, I don’t need to,’ Wood assured her, wondering if it was Michelle who had persuaded Chandice not to say anything to her husband.

‘Do you know how the De Klerks got to know Cole?’

‘I know what you’re thinking, officer, but I can assure you neither of them was involved.’

‘I understand, but you’d have to say her persuading you not to report it has allowed Cole to steal precious stones from other people.’

‘I know, and that saddens me. Michelle has achieved a lot in her career and hopes to be made a judge one day. I think she was worried that if Cole was arrested and the press found out she or Johan were involved, they would use it against her and her reputation would be sullied. I love her dearly, I really do, and I just decided it was best to do as she asked.’

‘The media are like vultures these days,’ Wood remarked. ‘Purely out of curiosity, how did they meet?’

‘Michelle was a junior barrister when they met. We went to South Africa on holiday together about ten years ago. Johan was the guide on our safari. He was instantly besotted with Michelle. I felt like a gooseberry on that trip.’ She smiled at the memory.

‘He gave up the safari work to be with her in the UK?’

‘Not exactly. On a trip that Johan was leading, a rampaging female elephant protecting her young charged at the jeep and overturned it. A woman in her seventies was trampled to death. The company was sued, and Johan lost his job. It was in the papers over there but I don’t think it made the news here in the UK. ’

‘What’s he doing now?’ Wood asked, hoping to discover something he didn’t know. He realised that the article about Johan and Michelle meeting at a rugby match was a lie to cover up the safari incident, so he wondered what else they were hiding.

‘Johan’s father, now let me think . . . yes, Pieter runs a winery in Wellington, just outside Cape Town, which the family has owned for over a century.

Johan was never interested in the wine business but started working for his father after the safari incident.

He had wanted Michelle to move to South Africa, but she was ambitious in her career and determined to become a Queen’s Council, as it was back then, which she eventually did.

Johan approached his father about opening a wine business in London, which he agreed to.

I think Johan has been quite successful, and then they recently bought this incredible property, not that I have been there as yet, but I was told there was a huge amount of construction work done, a cinema in the basement, but you know what they say, behind every great man . . .’

‘There is a great woman. Sounds like they have a very successful marriage.’

‘Like all married couples, they have their ups and downs. Mind you, Michelle is the one who rules the roost and keeps him in line. Johan can get a bit loud when he’s had a few, but he’s a pussycat really.’ She poured herself another glass of champagne. ‘Detective?’

‘No thank you, I’m driving. But I’ll have to try one of Johan’s wines sometime. Can you get them in supermarkets?’

Chandice laughed. ‘Good lord, no. His wines are far too expensive. He mostly supplies top restaurants, but you can get them online.’ She removed a bottle of Pinot Noir from a rack under the kitchen counter. ‘This is one of Johan’s family’s wines. Take it with you and try it when you get home.’

He looked at the label with its animal logo. ‘“Springbok Wines, a Taste of the Cape”. That’s very kind of you. I look forward to having a glass or two. And thank you for taking the time to talk to me.’

Chandice opened a kitchen drawer and started to rummage around inside it. ‘I’m sure I’ve got it here somewhere.’

‘Got what?’

‘Nathan Cole’s business card. I don’t know why I kept it. It’s of no use to me, so you may as well have it. Ah, here it is.’ She handed him the card.

He took it from her. ‘How would you describe him?’

‘An arsehole and a little shit would be most appropriate,’ she replied frankly. Wood smiled. ‘But I suppose I’d say he’s quite short, about five foot six, bald on top and has dyed black hair on the sides. I’d say he’s in his mid-fifties.’

Wood nodded. ‘That pretty much fits with what other people have said.’

‘If you can put Cole behind bars without our involvement, I will be very pleased, and I’m sure Michelle will be as well.’

‘As promised, I won’t be approaching Michelle or Johan.

A few victims are willing to make a statement and give evidence against Cole, and I’m sure I’ll find more.

I hope you and Michelle can find a way to restore your friendship and that her husband makes a full recovery.

’ Chandice suddenly looked worried. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked.

‘I’ve just had a thought. Do you think Cole might be involved in what happened to Johan?’

Wood hadn’t expected her to make the connection and had to think quickly.

‘That’s a very good point you’ve made and one the investigating team should consider if they don’t already know about Cole.

But to be honest, I very much doubt Cole had anything to do with it.

He has no criminal record, no history of violence and from what I’ve learned about him so far, he’s just a con man. ’

‘Thank you, Julian. You’ve been very kind and understanding.’

‘Thank you again for being so forthcoming.’ Wood left and got in his car.

He drove around the corner, parked up and took a small portable recorder from his jacket pocket.

He checked it was still recording before switching it off.

He then took out his pocketbook and started to make notes of his conversation with Chandice.

He would have plenty to tell Chapman, but he needed to make sure none of it led back to Richard Stubbings, so this might have to be an edited version.